Xona secures spectrum approval for 250-satellite navigation network
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Xona Space Systems has secured Federal Communications Commission approval to broadcast its commercial Pulsar navigation signals in the L‑band, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for a planned constellation of more than 250 low‑Earth‑orbit satellites. The authorization expands an earlier license for the Pulsar‑0 demo satellite to cover the full network, allowing Xona to transmit signals adjacent to GPS L1 and L5 frequencies while using waveforms that prevent interference with existing navigation, aviation and national‑security services. Xona’s satellites will emit signals up to 100 times stronger than GPS because of their lower altitude, aiming to provide a private alternative or supplement to government‑run constellations such as GPS, Galileo, BeiDou and GLONASS. The company will launch six additional satellites in October via a SpaceX rideshare, with production shifting to its new Burlingame factory after a $170 million funding round. Early customers are expected to be telecom, finance and data‑center firms needing precise timing, with broader navigation services slated for later phases of the rollout.
💡 Why It Matters
- · By operating next to GPS in a tightly controlled band, Xona could offer a high‑power, low‑orbit timing source that integrates with existing receivers, potentially reshaping how critical infrastructure synchronizes operations.
